Explaining the Literacy Block
A two hours literacy block is an essential tool for aiding the development of early years learners. Literacy blocks focus on improving the speech, reading and writing capacity of students with regards to their ability to comprehend and understand what they're reading or writing, rather than just their ability to read words word-for-word or write letter-for-letter. These literacy blocks generally provide a 'scaffolded' approach to teaching these core components of early years education. Hill (2006, pp. 72) states that ‘in a scaffolded approach to literacy there is a place to model, share and guide and encourage independence in reading and writing.’ Literacy blocks are comprised of four main methods of teaching reading, these are (Information derived from Hill (2006));
Guided Reading
Guided reading is a method utilised by teachers in order to build independence, fluency, problem solving skills and comprehension. It involves having the teacher split the class into smaller groups and then reading a shorter, carefully chosen text with them. This method allows the teacher to focus closer on individual students and correct them on a much more personalised level.
Shared Reading
Shared reading is an instructional method of teaching whereby the teacher as a professional reader reads a big book to the whole class as they read and follow along. This assists students to become familiar with words, grammar, pronunciation and letter sounds. Related: Watch Teacher Moderation Shared Reading
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= Modelled Reading
Modelled reading is a reading method that involves the teacher reading to the class as a whole. The texts that the teacher reads when undergoing modelled reading are typically of a higher difficulty than that of what students may be capable to read themselves. Modelled reading assists children by demonstrating syntax models, vocabulary and meanings that may otherwise be unfamiliar to them.
Independent Reading
Independent reading can be done either in or outside of a classroom situation, without any teacher supervision or control. Students often are allowed to choose their own texts that they read thus assisting them to become more interested in what they read. Independent reading is beneficial for a child's ability to read fluently, apply different reading strategies and for their reading comprehension.
Literacy blocks consist of another four similar methods for teaching writing to early years learners. These methods are as follows.
Guided Writing
Guided writing is similar to guided reading in that a teacher works with a small group of students and works with them to create a writing piece. This method is effective because it allows a teacher to work somewhat more one-on-one with students and really focus on improving every students flaws with regard to their writing. It can also be effective in developing students' punctuation, grammar, creative, and spelling abilities.
Shared and Interactive Writing
Shared and interactive writing is when the teacher works with students to create a collaborative piece of writing. This method of writing is particularly effective because it encourages children to think more and to write things that are of a higher standard or difficulty to that of which they can achieve independently.
Modelled Writing
Modelled writing is a particularly effective method of teaching writing. It involves the teacher writing a piece in front of the whole class while thinking aloud. This method provides the children with insight on writing processes that people utilise when writing. Furthermore, using this method teachers are able to encourage students to proof read and plan ahead before writing.
Independent Writing
Independent writing is when students do their own writing, free from assistance, teachers and direction. This is an effective method in encouraging students plan, think about, punctuate and proof read their own work.
A two hours literacy block is an essential tool for aiding the development of early years learners. Literacy blocks focus on improving the speech, reading and writing capacity of students with regards to their ability to comprehend and understand what they're reading or writing, rather than just their ability to read words word-for-word or write letter-for-letter. These literacy blocks generally provide a 'scaffolded' approach to teaching these core components of early years education. Hill (2006, pp. 72) states that ‘in a scaffolded approach to literacy there is a place to model, share and guide and encourage independence in reading and writing.’ Literacy blocks are comprised of four main methods of teaching reading, these are (Information derived from Hill (2006));
Guided Reading
Guided reading is a method utilised by teachers in order to build independence, fluency, problem solving skills and comprehension. It involves having the teacher split the class into smaller groups and then reading a shorter, carefully chosen text with them. This method allows the teacher to focus closer on individual students and correct them on a much more personalised level.
Shared Reading
Shared reading is an instructional method of teaching whereby the teacher as a professional reader reads a big book to the whole class as they read and follow along. This assists students to become familiar with words, grammar, pronunciation and letter sounds.
Related:
Watch Teacher Moderation Shared Reading
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Modelled Reading
Modelled reading is a reading method that involves the teacher reading to the class as a whole. The texts that the teacher reads when undergoing modelled reading are typically of a higher difficulty than that of what students may be capable to read themselves. Modelled reading assists children by demonstrating syntax models, vocabulary and meanings that may otherwise be unfamiliar to them.
Independent Reading
Independent reading can be done either in or outside of a classroom situation, without any teacher supervision or control. Students often are allowed to choose their own texts that they read thus assisting them to become more interested in what they read. Independent reading is beneficial for a child's ability to read fluently, apply different reading strategies and for their reading comprehension.
Literacy blocks consist of another four similar methods for teaching writing to early years learners. These methods are as follows.
Guided Writing
Guided writing is similar to guided reading in that a teacher works with a small group of students and works with them to create a writing piece. This method is effective because it allows a teacher to work somewhat more one-on-one with students and really focus on improving every students flaws with regard to their writing. It can also be effective in developing students' punctuation, grammar, creative, and spelling abilities.
Shared and Interactive Writing
Shared and interactive writing is when the teacher works with students to create a collaborative piece of writing. This method of writing is particularly effective because it encourages children to think more and to write things that are of a higher standard or difficulty to that of which they can achieve independently.
Modelled Writing
Modelled writing is a particularly effective method of teaching writing. It involves the teacher writing a piece in front of the whole class while thinking aloud. This method provides the children with insight on writing processes that people utilise when writing. Furthermore, using this method teachers are able to encourage students to proof read and plan ahead before writing.
Independent Writing
Independent writing is when students do their own writing, free from assistance, teachers and direction. This is an effective method in encouraging students plan, think about, punctuate and proof read their own work.
Related:
See Prep to Year 4 - Stages of Education
- Introduction to Learner
- Reading Interests Survey
- Learner Understanding
- Reading Fluency
- Writing Assessment
Teaching Programs
- Classroom Structure
- Teaching Approaches
- Reading/Writing Approaches
- Observation Notes
Teaching Resources
Statement of Observation
Permission Slip
Reference List
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